San Sheng Yin  三生饮
Three Raw Decoction

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song Dynasty)

Preparation:

The sliced or crushed roots are placed in a pot with two bowls of water and 10 slices of fresh Sheng Jiang (Ginger). The mix is decocted slowly until the liquid reduces by half, strained, and administered warm to the patient immediately.
The Licorice is used to help reduce toxin of the unprocessed roots.

Function:

Expels Wind, Resolves Phlegm, Rescues Devastated Yang

Use:

1. Sudden loss of consciousness, locking of the jaw, foaming at the mouth from Cold-Phlegm obstructing the brain
2. Acute Stroke or Coma from Cold-Wind-Phlegm
3. Acute Hemiplegia
4. Acute Facial Paralysis
5. Tetanus and Lockjaw
6. Severe Cold-Damp pain such as Sciatica
7. Acute speech loss from Cold Phlegm obstruction

Dose:

The above is intended to be taken as a dose in emergency case.
The best way to use would be to give one quarter of a dose every 45–60 minutes to monitor for any potential toxic reaction.

Cautions:

1. Extremely Toxic. The prescribed dose can cause serious adverse effects in susceptible people. In modern medicine, use of raw Aconite root is forbidden, only the processed root being legal for internal use.
2. Not used for Stroke or Coma associated with Heat
3. Not used during Pregnancy, the very young or those on Heart medication.

Modifications:

1. The famous Ming dynasty physician Xue Ji said that this formula dispersed so strongly that Ginseng (30 grams) should be added to protect the Qi of the person. This is called Shen Fu San Sheng Yin.
2. To help lessen the severity and toxicity, Jujubes (Da Zao) and Licorice can be added.
3. Severe Cold Phlegm with phlegm rattling in the chest, add Mustard seed (9 grams) and Alum (3 grams)
4. For loss of speech or Phlegm clouding the Orifices, add Calamus (Shi Chang Pu) and Polygala Yuan Zhi.
5. Hemiplegia with Blood Stasis, add Ligusticum Chuan Xiong and Dang Gui
6. Severe muscles spasms or Lockjaw, add Scorpion (Quan Xie) and Centipede (Wu Gong)

Comment:

This is one of the most famous, aggressive emergency formulas in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. As the title suggests, it deliberately uses 3 highly toxic medicines in their raw form that are usually only used internally in prepared (detoxified) form. But In this case, the raw and highly toxic herbs are decocted to give a powerful and immediate effect.

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